Guitarist Toby Knapp Comments On Upcoming Darkane Tour

Toby Knapp has issued the following statement regarding joining Darkane for an upcoming tour:

"Today I am finishing up the final song I am to learn before I join Sweden's Darkane midway through their US/CANADIAN tour in support of Soilwork Feb 22. It is a nervous excitement as the first time I perform with them will be on a stage before an audience. The music is intricate, fast and disciplined- I usually am the only guitarist in a group situation, which allows the freedom to improvise on riffs every show, as with Onward. However, this is a great challenge and just what I need, discipline. I hope to return from the tour a better musician. Cases of beer will be replaced with a bag of books this time around. I am understanding something that I can no longer deny, every action has an equal and opposite reaction, the Universe does not forget. Prior to the Darkane opportunity I was preparing myself to join Mayhem, at least for a few shows. I practiced hard, for hours on the highly technical music. However, logistics prevented that from coming to pass. Within a week from receiving the news from Mayhem they had voted on using a Norwegian guitarist, I was already practicing for the Darkane opportunity- which did come to pass along with the European re-issue of my last solo album "Misanthropy Divine" and the invitation to contribute to the Shredguy Records compilation "Shredding across the World vol. 2". Going back further in time, I was approached by Vital Remains. I learned the material they requested and had it to them immediately. Their response "you make it look easy, but we'll keep in touch bro"........Dave Suzuki was in the band again, I have no idea what that was all about. Again, opportunity knocked from Vital Remains co-founder, vocalist Jeff Gruslin of Godless Rising. I figured I had been recommended to him, nope. Coincidence. I joined as guitarist/writer and we have had a good working relationship and the result "Trumpet Of Triumph" will arrive in 2009 on Moribund Records.

"It seems I have found a key that I had lost, one that opens doors. I "Do what thou wilt". Just keep playing, making music, thinking music because It's what I know and love. Doing these things without the lust of result! Now we are talking Thelemic philosophy, "success will be your proof" - Crowley. "I decided to become a guitarist because of Jimmy Page and Page has basically said "Do what you are meant to do and forge ahead". The Thelemic philosophy proclaims that If you are on your designated course (we all have one, no one is better than anyone else) You will be backed by the "Inertia of the Universe". I have, like all of us, been in line with my True Will, and things proceed accordingly. I have also, as many of you have, been completely out of synchronicity and life seems to spiral downhill, out of control. One thing I know to be true, I know nothing! It is interesting to speculate, read and research. Still searching......"